Medvedev wins Russian presidential election

The Kremlin's two most powerful leaders - President Putin (right) and his successor, Dmitry Mevedev

Russians elected Dmitry Medvedev as their new president Sunday by a big margin and will succeed Vladimir Putin in May. Under Russian law,Putin was not eligible to run for office again. But he is not disappearing from the political scene. He backed Medvedev for the top job with the understanding that he will be the prime minister.

Defeated Communist challenger Gennady Zyuganov accused the administration of cheating, saying he has evidence of widespread irregularities. He told the official Russian media he would take legal action. Howver, he did not challenge the overall results.

Dmitry Medvedev is President Vladimir Putin's most trusted ally. Putin used his huge popularity to ensure Medvedev victory in Sunday's presidential election. Colleagues describe the 42-year-old as a brilliant lawyer who dislikes risk and is devoted to Putin.

But commentators are questioning whether he has the right political instincts needed for the job. They are looking in the short-term to see what kind of working relationship he will develop with his mentor and former boss.

The last Soviet President, Mikhail Gorbachev, believes Medvedev is well prepared, educated and modern. But he worries that his lack of experience at the federal level might be a handicap.

Medvedev was tossed into the presidential race late last year when Putin said he was the right man for the job. But with Putin still powerful and planning to stay on as prime minister, observers say Medvedev's position could be precarious. Critics put it another way; they call it a fraud to keep Putin and his allies in office.